Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega General Help => Topic started by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 14:14:45

Title: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 14:14:45
That questionable plug on my gearbox is now secure with all wires joined, confident there are no problems there.

HOWEVER the gearbox keeps going into limp mode, with no S or W modes.. sometimes it will work again.. but usually it does not.

Nothing is amiss.. I'm tearing out my hair...
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: TheBoy on 25 April 2007, 14:57:32
shagged box?

I can tell you why its going into limp (though not always the cause, as with most electronic diagnosis)
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: miggy on 25 April 2007, 17:40:02
Had the same problem on one of my Omegas, 2.0 select 1995, after spending pounds on having it checked it ended up having the auto box changed. get it checked out mate at vauxhall.
Pete
Quote
That questionable plug on my gearbox is now secure with all wires joined, confident there are no problems there.

HOWEVER the gearbox keeps going into limp mode, with no S or W modes.. sometimes it will work again.. but usually it does not.

Nothing is amiss.. I'm tearing out my hair...
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 18:30:28
stranger....

Just went out, having changed nothing. Turned the key, and it all worked again.

Didn't change anything - a minute later it'd stopped working!

What the heck is going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It wasn't doing this before the top-end rebuild... but I cannot see anything wrong, everything is in place, I've checked all connectors are home, incl the ECU one

Shall I change ECU???????
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Dave-C on 25 April 2007, 18:36:10
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stranger....

Just went out, having changed nothing. Turned the key, and it all worked again.

Didn't change anything - a minute later it'd stopped working!

What the heck is going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It wasn't doing this before the top-end rebuild... but I cannot see anything wrong, everything is in place, I've checked all connectors are home, incl the ECU one

Shall I change ECU???????

Vaccuum leak!  Check, Check and Double Check vaccuum pipes...  Had some funny stuff going on, on a a Scorpio with a vac leak once.............

DC,
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: miggy on 25 April 2007, 18:37:28
I would have it checked out before you change anything, at least you would know one way or the other, as said I had the same issue, I could go days without the limp mode activating, I know how you feel mate, it used to drive me round the bend, I had all sorts of advice, everything was checked until I took it to vauxhall and they found the problem straight away.
Pete :y  
Quote
stranger....

Just went out, having changed nothing. Turned the key, and it all worked again.

Didn't change anything - a minute later it'd stopped working!

What the heck is going on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It wasn't doing this before the top-end rebuild... but I cannot see anything wrong, everything is in place, I've checked all connectors are home, incl the ECU one

Shall I change ECU???????
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 18:38:15
very interesting!

I am aware that, some of my vac pipes are not right, and I'm going to look at that, mainly around the heater/climate area

Are there any vac pipes  on the Omega that would affect the Tranny tho?
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 18:39:16
It it turns out I need tech2 diagnosis, I'll be visiting Brackley, not vauxhall  ;)
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Auto Addict on 25 April 2007, 18:41:37
Isn't there a breather pipe on the box?
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: miggy on 25 April 2007, 18:41:59
Best of luck mate, keep us posted.
Quote
It it turns out I need tech2 diagnosis, I'll be visiting Brackley, not vauxhall  ;)
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 19:10:41
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Isn't there a breather pipe on the box?
yeah, but not related to vaccum setup... :(
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Taxi_Driver on 25 April 2007, 19:11:10
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It it turns out I need tech2 diagnosis, I'll be visiting Brackley, not vauxhall  ;)

Why?  :-?

Surely you will want the vx dealer to tell you its needs a new g/b ecu + gearbox oh and engine ecu just for good measures  ;D

Seriously.....it could have an engine sensor prob.....which is putting the gearbox into to limp mode and theres actually nothing wrong with the gearbox.

Have you paperclipped it?
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Omegatoy on 25 April 2007, 19:27:38
Hi James,
got 2 things to try, On senny and carlton autoss they are very very fussy on plug type as the wrong ones make the gearbox keep going into limp mode!!
maybe the same thing on the Omega?
second again on the above mentioned cars the Fuel pump relay is known to cause problems with this fault as it chatter when warm and interferes witht eh auto box ecu causing it to go limp mode!! then ten mins later its ok again!
so just a couple of suggestions which may not be your answer but just may be worth checking/swapping to eliminate??
Omegatoy
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Martin_1962 on 25 April 2007, 20:51:12
Rev counter OK?
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: TheBoy on 25 April 2007, 21:18:36
James, paperclip the engine - the engine can ask the gearbox to limp (and the g/box can ask engine to limp).

Before you did the top end, I bet you barely drove it much due to its issues.  Possibly and existing problem only showing up now, and unrelated to your work...
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 22:09:57
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James, paperclip the engine - the engine can ask the gearbox to limp (and the g/box can ask engine to limp).

Before you did the top end, I bet you barely drove it much due to its issues.  Possibly and existing problem only showing up now, and unrelated to your work...

Sounds like sound advice Jaime

I'm just going to drag Markie downstairs with a paperclip in one hand and a beer in the other ;D

I know nothing can be taken for granted, however if the engine was asking the box to limp, wouldn't I get an EML?

BTW.. we changed the gearbox ECU tonight, made no difference. so the old one is back on there.

Codes are on their way, cheers mate  :y
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 25 April 2007, 22:11:39
Is that gearbox selector switch all nice and clean....
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 22:12:51
Quote
Is that gearbox selector switch all nice and clean....

Markie's response was "no, it's dirty, oily and sh!tty!

Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 25 April 2007, 22:14:16
First job then....
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 22:15:28
Cool, I'll do it tomorrow.

How best to tackle it - remove it from the car?

What's the best way to clean it all up, do I need to take it apart?
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 22:27:30
Right, going out with a paperclip now

Back with results in 10 mins!
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 22:38:08
Engine Paperclip Fault codes are as follows:

144
145
31
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 25 April 2007, 22:46:27
31 - crank sensor - normal with engine not running
144/145 - immobisor crap, which I know about...

so no codes that could be causing the gbox to limp :(

I will clean the selector switch tomorrow and see if that helps, and make sure that connector is still ok

Please help, insurance is swapped over now, I need wheels :(
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Andy B on 26 April 2007, 08:25:15
Quote
......
It wasn't doing this before the top-end rebuild... but I cannot see anything wrong, everything is in place, I've checked all connectors are home, incl the ECU one ......

When I did the cam belt on my car I forgot to reconnect the throttle position whatsit and the gearbox went into limp mode then.
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 April 2007, 08:32:30
When doing the selector switch.....do a maintenance guide....
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 26 April 2007, 12:14:00
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When doing the selector switch.....do a maintenance guide....

I would if I knew how ;)

I can see how the switch comes, off, but must I follow any particular procedure for removal, or have the selector in any particular gear?

I've never taken one apart before ;D
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: ricardo1500 on 26 April 2007, 13:09:58
James
When I removed mine for cleaning I had the box in neutral. Be careful about removing and replacing the switch on the selector shaft as you dont want to damage the seal in the switch case.  Lie it flat on the bench when separating the halves and you shouldn't have any problems with dismantling
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 26 April 2007, 13:52:35
Righto... believe it or not I'm not 100% confident about this job... but here goes!!!

If this doesn't work, I may have to resort to Tech2

Jaime - does Tech2 read codes that have been "stored" in the gearbox ECU - indeed does the gearbox ECU store codes at all? Or.. does the fault need to be present for diagnosis?

That won't be a problem... it's in limp mode 99% of the time!!!
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: JamesV6CDX on 26 April 2007, 14:32:23
it's off... .just fannying around trying to find a male torx to fit the bolts to take it apart

what's best to clean it with?
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 26 April 2007, 14:41:27
Well....start with soap and water....idealy you would use contact cleaner.....carb cleaner might well work as it wont affect the pcb tracks or contacts....
Title: Re: In and out of limp mode :(
Post by: TheBoy on 26 April 2007, 18:36:13
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Jaime - does Tech2 read codes that have been "stored" in the gearbox ECU - indeed does the gearbox ECU store codes at all?
yes and yes